1956 - The Tipping Point

[Editors note: Sorry these are not in chronological order: Dad sent me some more stories yesterday that I was not originally copied on. smp]

From: Fred Holladay

Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:01 PM

Subject: RE: Coach Ward

It has been very interesting to read the blogs in reference to Coach Ward. I was fortunate to know Coach in several dimensions. I first knew him as sponsor of the class of ’58 (1955-1958). I then knew him as Coach and was privileged to play on his first two regular season undefeated teams, 1956 and 1957. Later, at the encouragement of Billy Portis (Scotty’s father), I ran for and was elected to the board of the Huntingdon Special School District and was privileged to serve with both Mr. Pudor and subsequently Coach Ward. Coach Ward’s sister, Hazel, was a key employee of mine for 20 years while in the retail furniture business in Huntingdon.

Many memories course through my grey matter as I read the blogs. I remember, as though it were last week, when Billy Yeager broke my nose (obviously before face masks were standard issue) at football practice and Coach fell to his knees in hilarious laughter. He told me not to reach to touch it because “it was all over my face”. Coach went with me to Wilson Clinic and stayed until I was released to go to a specialist in Jackson. Then there was the game, against Paris, I think, that was played in the rain on a very muddy field when the field was lined with limestone instead of chalk. All of the team was burned with limestone and again, characteristically, Coach Ward went with us to Wilson Clinic to have the limestone burns treated.

Although most of the recipients of this blog appeared later in Coach Ward’s very successful tenure, the “tipping point” year was 1956. The team of 1955 was 9-0-1[actually 0-9-1 ed.], scoring only 79 points in ten games, losing 9 games in a row before tying Northside at 14 in the final game. Larry Stewart joined the Mustangs for the 1956 season and the team went 10-0 scoring 300 points before losing to Paris in the Exchange Bowl 12-6. I think that the team of 1956 absolutely changed the character of football in Huntingdon for generations to come. Someone inquired about the offensive line for the 1956 season: Bobby Churchwell-right end, Walter Brown-right tackle, Bendell Wilkes-right guard, Warren Blankenship-Center, Bobby Crossett-left guard, Dale Lewis-left tackle and Ronnie Rice-left end. The single wing backfield was Dewey Williams, Barton Williams, Jerry Parish and Larry Stewart. That was the year that Dixie Carter was Football Queen, Paul Ward was Coach of the Year in West Tennessee and Larry Stewart was the state’s leading scorer. The team of 1957 was 9-0 in the regular season scoring 240 points and then beat Parsons in the Exchange Bowl. Offensive line was Ronnie Rice-right end, Walter Brown-right tackle, Bendell Wilkes-right guard, Warren Blankenship-center, Fred Holladay-left guard, Sammy Lankford-left tackle and Lance Kee-left end. The backfield was Jerry Parish, Scotty Portis, Marshal “Moose” Smith and Wallace Pinkley.

I remember the “Jackson Highway Gang” but how many remember the predecessor “Saturday Morning Pudor Field Gang”? Each Saturday morning there would be a game at Pudor Field in which boys lived their dream of Friday Night Football. Two of the regulars were Jimmy McKinney and Johnny Wayne “Pain” Clifton. “Pain” would always show up with a new, shiny, leather football since his father, W. W. Clifton, owned the Western Auto store. Pain thought that we should play by his rules since he always furnished the new football. One Saturday morning, Pain said that if we did not play his way he would take the ball and go home. Jimmy McKinney, who had as much as he could stand, told Johnny Wayne to “take your ‘ole football and go home. We don’t need it anyway.” We then finished playing with an old football, with no white markings, on a field with gold and blue crepe paper strewn along the sidelines and chalk lines marking the playing field.

Coach Ward showed no favoritism to the players. He would always entrust some player with the “football car” who was charged with the responsibility of taking players home to “the country” and then was privileged to drive the car to school the next day. (Can you imagine that happening in 2008?) He would take promising young men like Warren Blankenship and Ray Chandler, focus his attention on them, give them an opportunity to excel, and prepare them for life in a larger world. During my high school years he would retreat to the “boiler room” with J. Leroy Tate for a smoke. He demanded strict adherence to team rules such as no smoking, no soft drinks and a strict 10:00 pm curfew. Later, as Superintendent of Schools, he would make the hard decisions necessary to keep the Huntingdon Special School District operating at peak efficiency and confront teachers whom he felt needed confrontation.

Thank you, Coach Paul Ward, for the extraordinary influence you have had on the lives of hundreds of people and for an influence that is certainly felt among the children and grandchildren of your players.

Fred Holladay

Huntingdon Mustangs (1955-1957)

---

Freddie, another great story from yet another great Mustang lineman. What would the backs be without you guys "knocking" those giant holes in the line. I well remember your senior year and my junior year on the same field together. What a great season. Your senior team was one of the best all round teams I think Coach Ward ever had. To show his coaching genius, as you will remember, we started the "belly series" that year (switch from the single wing as we had less speed in the backfield but more power) with a lot of the plays coming over you at left guard (belly 35 with Moose over left guard or Parish left 47 off tackle) always for yardage.

I do remember Yeager breaking your nose-it was rather flat. Yeager laughed about as hard as Coach Ward did.

Just another thought of support for the athletic teams. I can remember the support of the cheerleaders. I can recall one incident on the baseball team (yes Coach Ward was the assistant BB coach- Blake Milam was the head Coach and a good one). We went to play Palmersville in an away game (don't know if I could find Palmersville today or not without a Garmin) but several of the cheerleaders came all the way to the game-Kay Watson, Judy Barger, Mary Louise Barrow, Mary Ann Coleman, and Judy Morris. There were no stands to sit in at their field and the girls sat two back to back for support. Funny how you remember the smallest details. The point is that Huntingdon has always had great support from the student body, cheerleaders, and our fans. My senior year we met Lexington in the important 6th game of the year with both teams being 6-0. There were so many fans at the game that the crowds were 5-6 deep all around Pudor Field (the old High School). Johnny Pitts (left defensive half back) and I (safety) ran a Lexington back into the crowd on their side and we could not get out. Their fans were shoving, kicking, and pounding us with their fists. The chain gang had to come in and rescue us. Our big game then was with Lexington (beat them twice that year 46-7 in the above game and 35-0 in the Vol Cof. play off game in Lexington). The Lexington guys were always good but dirty. One of their defensive linemen stuck his finger in my mouth after I had been tackled and I tried to bite his finger off. He ran to the ref and showed him his bleeding finger and the ref told him he should not have stuck it in my mouth. My wife often asks me "Scotty, how in the world do you remember so much detail"? I just tell her that events that mean so much to you just stand out in your mind, and playing football for Paul Ward and for the Huntingon Mustangs is one of the those things.

Again, Freddie so good to hear from you and your good story and memories of Coach Ward. I know everyone is getting a kick out of these. I just got one from Betty Robinson (former Mustang cheerleader and Coach Robinson's wife and a good friend of mime). Jimmy Lumpkin another Mustang QB also sent a very good story.

Scotty

Side Straddle Hop

From: Glen McCadams
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:38 AM
Subject: RE: Coach Ward

It’s now time to catch up on some things I have neglected since July. The foremost thought on my mind being the passing of Coach Ward, and that I didn’t even make his funeral. I should have been there, but we were getting ready for the semi-final game, and I believed Coach Ward would have expected me to do that.

Coach Ward is still my coach everyday. It began fifty years ago. In the summers, he carried us to McKenzie in the old school bus and taught us how to swim. All those hot summer days in the old gym playing cork ball, tumbling, etc. He loved tumbling – laying on his back and flipping us over the top of him. In our high school years it was those summer night workouts on all of those door frames in the new gym foyer, where we pushed on immovable bars for 12 seconds – isometrics. He took many of us to our first college football game @ Vandy vs. West Virginia. He also got our attention when Cat Bennett had to run the length of the football field with one of our best players hitting him every 5 yards. He was also my junior high basketball coach and my summer time baseball coach at the old fairgrounds.

During junior high football I broke my left leg and ankle. Coach Ward carried me to school and got me home every day. During the spring practice of my junior season, I broke several bones in my left foot, and again Coach Ward carried me to school. Also during my high school days, it was discovered that I had a birth defect in my spine, which ended my football playing days forever and my dream of being a high school football coach. I was crushed, now only hoping that maybe I could be a high school basketball coach someday.

When I graduated from college, it looked as though I was headed to Camden to coach basketball. Then one day, out of the blue, I got a phone call from the principal of Milan High School. Mr. Wheeler offered me an assistant football coaching position with their new coach – John Tucker. It turns out that Coach Ward had recommended me to Mr. Wheeler [who also just passed away about 3 weeks ago].

I still remember that night, at old Rothrock Stadium, when I was able to thank Coach Ward for restarting my dream, which I have now lived for 39 years.

I’m glad I was at the last game he coached during the playoffs @ Memphis. I still savor my last time out at the coffee table with my dad and Coach Ward. I remember talking with Coach Ward during Huntingdon’s last state championship game. He told me that he wasn’t able to make the 2003 game, to which I replied that I was glad he didn’t get to see my team that night because we weren’t very well coached – I still remember that laugh, don’t you?

To this very day, I try to handle my kids just as he did all of us. He was tough, fair, consistent, and cared about us. We simply respected him and relished his approval. Who can forget that smile when somebody got whammed, or bounced off the trampoline, or how excited he was on the first day of practice, or the Lord’s Prayer on our knees at the 50 yard line right before kickoff.

To this very day – after our strength coach gets finished with his static stretching routine, we are going to do the old SIDE STRADDLE HOP – COUNT THE FIRST 8 & GO TO 32, slapping those thigh pads hard & loud. You remember – READY 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,30,1,2. It puts a little smile on my face, memories in my heart, is a reminder of how I am suppose to coach today, and in a small way honors my COACH!

From: Scotty Portis

Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:01 PM

Subject: Re: Coach Ward

Coach McCadams (Glen, it is hard for me to call you anything else after such a long and illustrious football career teaching young men in the fashion of Paul Ward). Your three state championships speak for themselves. So many of us owe so much to Coach Paul Ward and none more than you, as he guided you toward your first coaching job and under none other than another legend, Coach John Tucker of Milan.

Thanks so much for taking the time to send in your remembrance of Coach. I have taken the liberty to share yours with Paul Jr. and Bobby and the many others who either played for him or were taught by him. Each story told reveals more and more about a man that was multiple dimensional-a stern disciplinarian but with a heart as big as Texas.

Glen, you continue to carry the torch for Coach Ward. And as Ned Priest was quoted, speaking about you, "He also teaches his kids to act right and insists they do so. He is a good coach and a good man. Coach Ward would be proud". Indeed he would.

Scott Portis

Jackson Sun Article - Paul Ward 11/27/07

This was the original article that was published in the Jackson Sun shortly after Coach Ward passed away, courtesy of Johnny Pitts.
smp (Scott M Portis)

Article published Nov 27, 2007

Huntingdon's Ward was true legend

By DAN MORRIS

dmorris@jacksonsun.com

They gathered Monday in Huntingdon to pay final respects to Paul Ward, one of West Tennessee's true football coaching legends.

He died Saturday at age 81 and was buried in his native soil. One of the great thrills of his life was being hired to coach his alma mater - the Huntingdon Mustangs.

When he showed up for his first practice as a head coach in 1953, the 24-year-old Ward was stunned to find only nine boys on the field. He had to recruit students out of the halls and physical-education classes to corral his first herd of Mustangs.

When he retired 23 years later following the 1975 season to become superintendent of Huntingdon schools, Ward had achieved fame across the state. With 169 wins, 62 losses and six ties, he had a .726 winning percentage.

He added eight undefeated seasons, nine Volunteer Conference championships and was The Jackson Sun's Coach of the Year twice.

His last team in 1975 was 10-0 in the regular season and ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Class AA poll before losing to Bishop Byrne in the state playoffs.

There was nothing fancy about Ward. He was a hard-nosed disciplinarian who stressed fundamentals. If you could block and tackle better than the opponent, he figured the odds were on his side.

Passing was rarely in his game plan, especially during the early years. There were wagers among the Mustang faithful over the odds of Ward making it through a season without throwing a pass.

"The word got around that Coach Ward won't even let his wife 'pass the salt' at the breakfast table," Ward once told me. "I began passing some after that," he said.

A 1944 graduate of Huntingdon High, where he was a standout fullback, Ward served in the Navy from 1944-46. Then he went to Murray State on a football scholarship and started three years at tackle. He played on the 1948 team that won the Ohio Valley Conference title and played in the Tangerine Bowl against Sul Ross College of Alpine, Texas. Years later Ward learned that he had played against Dan Blocker, alias Hoss Cartwright of Bonanza fame, in that game.

After graduation, Ward was an assistant coach at Bruceton three years before getting the Huntingdon job. His third season with the Mustangs, the team's record was 0-9-1.

"I was lucky I didn't get fired after the third season," Ward once said.

But things changed quickly the next year when Larry Stewart, the son of a Baptist preacher, moved to town.

"He probably did more to build Huntingdon's program than anybody else," Ward said.

Running out of a "sidesaddle T," Stewart was the state's leading scorer and led the Mustangs to a 10-0 record. From 1956 to 1966, Huntingdon teams put together an incredible string of 102 wins, 7 losses and 1 tie for a .932 winning percentage.

In 1966 Tim Priest was Huntingdon's star, leading the Mustangs to an 11-0 season. He became a standout defensive back for the Tennessee Volunteers and is still heard each week as the color commentator during the UT football radio broadcasts.

Priest and Stewart were among those attending the funeral Monday, along with another former Mustang and UT lineman Warren Blankenship. Emotions ran high. The man who had helped shape their character and work ethic was gone to his reward.

Roy Dill was there, too. Dill played for Ward in 1961-64 and has kept statistics for Huntingdon football the past 32 seasons.

"You respected Coach Ward so much," Dill said. "He could get all over you one minute and be patting you on the back the next. You knew he was for you all the way, and he treated everybody the same."

A die-hard respect usually follows the great coaches to their grave. Such was the case for Paul Ward.

Dan Morris is The Jackson Sun's interim sports editor. Reach him at 425-9756 or (800) 372-3922, ext. 259756 or by e-mail at dmorris@jacksonsun.com.

Team Physician

Terry, welcome to the blog for Coach Ward. I don't know when we have had more fun in such a sad situation. Coach Ward does not realize it but he continues to walk among us and teach even after he has departed this life. Paul and Bobby have expressed to me on numerous occasions what these contributions have meant to them and their families. I got a very sweet note from Paul Jr.'s daughter, Jill (a teacher herself) in Memphis the other day.

Your story of the 1975 game with Trenton is outstanding and shows the true ability of this remarkable Coach to get "his team" ready for the next "big game". And a premonition that the kicking game could produce a win-wow! As I was back in Huntingdon and very close to this team as the "assistant team physician" under Dr. Atkins (who has dedicated many, many years to the Huntingdon football team), I too remember the hype leading up to the game. Huntingdon was "a buzz" with excitement all week preceding the game. Game day arrived and Dr. Atkins had to be out of town and could not attend the game. This propelled me into the job of "Team Physician"-for this nite anyway. I arrived in Trenton early and very nervous because of the importance of the game (I still get very nervous even today before each Mustang game just like I did when I played-not to the point of vomiting like Steve Barnett-but still nervous) and because of my added responsibility. No sooner had I approached the field house, than one of the managers ran up to me and said come quick as someone had been hurt in the pregame drills and Coach Ward needed me. My knees almost buckled for fear that I was going have to bench one of Coach Ward's important cogs. I don't even remember who the player was and his injury was not that bad (he played).

What a game! As I said in an earlier blog, this was probably the most exciting Mustang win that I ever witnessed with the team being behind in the 4th quarter, then going ahead with the field goal by none other than Todd Hall only a sophomore (Mustangs 15-Golden Tide 13 with the Mustangs scoring a late defensive touchdown to win 22-13). What a game! I don't remember the bash to Coach Ward's head but probably even if it had brought blood, Coach would not have cared at that point.

Again, Terry, thanks for the contribution as your insight added another dimension to a game that is #1 in my book. Your blog did a lot more than just trigger fond memories of a time gone by.

Also, I want to welcome another very special person to the site. None other than one of my very close "girl friends" Miss Melinda Milam Popplewell. Melinda's dad Blake Milam was our head baseball coach (Coach Ward was his assistant) and a very special person to me and the other baseball Mustangs. Coach Milam carried us far, way beyond our collective ability. This man was to baseball what Paul Ward was to football. Every season we won a lot more games than we should have with the talent we had. We were playing Memphis Central (Tim McCarver who was a catcher for the Mets and a left handed pitcher named Guido Grilli) in Memphis once in an important game and Gary Hall one of our pitchers reminded me the other day what Coach Ward and Coach Milam told us before the game "boys, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like you do". Melinda, hope you and Jay enjoy these stories as much as we have.

Again, welcome to all new bloggers to the site. Johnny Radford, the number #1 Mustang sports fan of all time, is feeding me names faster than I can recognize everyone. If I have missed you, sorry. Anyone (like Terry Brewer above) who has a special play, a game, a teammate, a season, or even another sport that eulogizes Coach Ward or someone else, please feel free to share. It will do you good and certainly will do this group good.

Thanks.

Scott Portis

Mustang (1955-1958)

Field Goal!

From: Terry Brewer
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:19 PM
Subject: Coach Ward blog

Doc,
Hey, it's Terry Brewer here and I just wanted to say hi and thanks for the effort on behalf of Coach Ward. I had the privilege of being on Coach Ward's last Mustang team and also being Johnnie Compton's brother in law for many years. I knew early on the esteem that Johnnie held for Coach and I soon learned as I entered high school that he was not alone. All who came in contact with him where immediately aware of the aura that was Coach Ward. He had such an overpowering presence. He was also my principal for 3 years. Needless to say, I kept my nose clean and avoided any opportunities to face that potential trauma.

I can remember many humorous events that happened on the practice field with Coach Ward but the one memory that will always be foremost occurred the week of the Trenton game in 75. I know most Mustang fans will remember that game. It was the state's #2 vs. #3 in the game of the year in West Tenn. The game was hyped by the media and the entire town was fired up for the contest. But, all week long, Coach Ward kept stressing the kicking game--particularly field goals. Now,. up to that point in the season, we hadn't ATTEMPTED a FG. We hadn't even had a #1 kicker for the most part. Several people had been in the running but none had been consistent enough for Coach. Finally, sophomore Todd Hall had earned the job but had only had the chance to kick XP's. Well, the whole team had bought into the hype of the game and heard from the town folk about how good we were and by Thursday, had gotten a little too cocky. We had spent more time working on FG's that week than the entire season leading up to it combined. As the Thursday practice wound down, we were getting a little rowdy and just going through the motions as we finished up our kicking practice. After a poor snap, a lackadaisical effort and a missed kick, Coach Ward stopped practice and chewed our butts for a moment. He finished up his rant by saying, (quoted as I remember--maybe not exact but close) "a field goal is going to win this game for you". For all that remember, of course it came down to Todd kicking a 32 yd FG in the 4th quarter to put the Mustangs ahead and ultimately lead us to the win. It's like he knew how even the 2 teams were and how the game was going to evolve. Also, on the kick, a Mustang on the sidelines jumped up on the sidelines when the "good" signal was given and and bashed Coach (accidentally) in the head with his helmet. Of course it didn't phase Coach Ward but it should have driven him to his knees.

I typed a lot more than I intended when I started typing this but I couldn't help it. I add my condolences to Little Paul and Bobby--they both know how I felt about their dad. Hope my story triggered a fond memory for the Mustang faithful.

Terry

R.I.P. Landon "Peghead" Moore

From: Scotty Portis
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:01 PM

With sadness today I report the death of a former Mustang-Landon "Peghead" Moore. Peghead, as I liked to call him even to his face as I was his doctor for many years, was a fullback on Coach Ward's very first team in 1953. Peghead, all 135 pounds, 10 lbs lighter than Wallace "Wade" Pinkley was an excellent running back (speed was his forte) on this team which went 4 and 6. He leaves his daughters, Lana and Lisa, and wife, Margaret. Our deepest sympathy to this fine family.

At the visitation today I met Johnny Compton's widow, Pam. She told me how much she had enjoyed the stories of her late husband, his coach, his fellow team mates, and other Mustang players and teams. She said that the stories often brought tears to her eyes but put joy and laughter in her heart. She has sent the stories out to many of her friends and relatives.

We probably do not yet realize the magnitude of the blog that has been created as it has begun to "spider web" out and out.

Lying in bed the other nite before going to sleep, I tried to envision the physical and mental effort that Paul Ward had to have expend doing the many chores that he did. Someone mentioned being hauled to the swimming pool in McKenzie for swimming lessons, others mentioned being carried to the doctor for game or practice related injuries, another mentioned his teaching duties, he was the assistant baseball coach, his parenting of many of his under privileged players, and on and on. All of this on top of the tremendous effort that went with being the head football coach of very WINNING teams. Scheduling problems, equiptment problems, assistant coaches, tranportation problems, field conditions, and answering to the public that demanded nothing but victory. It is mind boggling to think of the energy that this man spent taking care of us. Yet he did it year after year with out complaining. It can even be said that he enjoyed it. So once again Coach Paul Ward we take our hats off to you and salute you for a job well done.

Scott Portis

Mustang 1955-1958

Losing to Jackson in 1957

Scott Portis Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 11:11 PM

To: Johnny Radford

Cc: "Scott M. Portis" , "Paul Ward Jr." , "Paul Ward Jr." , Tim Priest , Bobby Ward

JR, you have tremendous "institutional knowledge" of HHS football and Coach Ward. I only hope that we will be able to put all these "blogs" in a book eventually so not only the players and students but future generations will be able to remember our Coach and what he stood for. I am sending each and everyone of these to Scott my son (he was an end for MBA in Nashville). Scott and his son McClain have gotten a big bang watching Daddy and Granddaddy playing in the two Exchange Bowls (Parsons in 1957 and Jackson High in 1958). Jeff Carter converted the 1957 game to DVD and Jimmy Wallace a defensive back for Jackson High converted the 1958 game to DVD. Jimmy called me from Jackson one day and said "Scotty, if you will come down and eat supper with me I will give you a copy of the game." I said, "Jimmy, I'll be glad to come but is there any way you can change the score for me (Golden Bears 28-Mustangs 12)?" As I said earlier in an email, we were in this game to the end and were even ahead at one point 6-0. They scored to go ahead 7-6 and we drove to their 10 on the next series but a 15 yard penalty pushed us back and we were unable to get it in. I scored on a screen pass in the 4th quarter but two late interceptions clinched it for them. The only game I ever played in to lose. Coaches Paul Ward and Luke Welch had tremendous football knowledge for their time and stayed of the cutting edge of new formations and ways to win games. Luke could punt the ball a mile and he stressed the kicking game. Ronnie Rice (end and punter 1957) and Luke taught me to punt. I'll call Paula and get Jerry's email address and send the blogs to him. I witnessed the 1966 season first hand as a spectator. I was standing with the rest of the crowd (6 deep) in the end zone at the Camden game (in Camden) when Tim scored his first touchdown. He came so close to me I swatted him on the butt as he came by me. You have forgotten this (I can barely remember it) but I helped Ewell Boldin coach the junior high each year before I went back to UT (I remember Tim and Tommy Portis on these teams). Keep up the good work on recruiting former Mustangs. Feel free to send the blogs on to them. Just let me know their addresses so I can send future emails to them. Feel free to expand our knowledge of the 1966 season as this was probably the most famous of all the HHS teams. The two most exciting games I ever witnessed was the 1975 game against Trenton won by a field goal 22-13 (Huntingdon scored a late defensive TD for the additional 7 points. Trenton had been ahead 13 to 12 when the field goal put the Mustangs ahead 15-13). Then there was the Bishop-Byrne game in Memphis, won by them on the chin strap violation. SP

Coach Wardisms

From: Johnny Radford

To: Dr. Scotty Portis

Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:55 PM

Subject: Coach Wardisms

Scotty.. I just read Jimmy Jewell Lumpkin's blog on reaching in that back pocket for that second effort.

Here are a few of my Wardisms...

If you work hard then the "cream will rise to the top".

When practice was over and the team would run sprints, Coach would holler out "milking time".

When a player would screw up he would tell the team "don't make me have to get the shoe out".

He often would tell a big lineman on the bottom of the pile in practice, "get up from there you big ole rascal".

One of my favorites was being reminded to "eat plenty of salt tablets, they're good for you". Then going out to practice later and you would be so thirsty your tongue would feel like leather.

Scotty.. Let Dr. Atkins know about these blogs. He was the team doctor for many years and I know he would enjoy reading them and having several stories to share.

When I get my thoughts together I'd like to share with all the Mustangs my remembrances about playing on the 1966 Mustang team. Your stories about playing with Stewart, Moose, Pinkley and Blankenship are great. I've got a couple of pictures of my dad, "Spider Radford" in his playing days at HHS. Spider would tell me when watching a game and someone like Lynn Stallworth had just let a pass slip off his fingertips that he could have caught that pass. Spider got his nickname from playing football and he played with Coach Ward in high school. Dad was even a coach with Mr. Robert Dilday for one year after WW II when Mr. Pudor was still gone from HHS. I've got an old HHS annual with their picture coaching the team. Ha...

Rabbit Hunting

Scott Portis Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 12:53 AM

Welcome to two new "yet old" Mustangs-Jimmy Lumpkin a member of the notorious "Jackson Highway Gang" and David Thompson a very good Mustang fullback. I'll send you guys the other blogs as soon as I get this one typed.

As Gary Hall said in the very first email of this series of blogs "the old memory bucket just keeps on filling up". I want to "toot the horn" of two of the sparkplug players on my team (we played all four years together). Joe Fortner alluded to the prowess of Coach Jerry Robinson in an earlier email. Coach Ward's teams of 1957 and 1958 (the two years after Larry Stewart) went 10-0 and 10-1 losing to Jackson High in the Exchange Bowl 28-12 (we lead this game 6-0 at one point and were in the game til the end. Two interceptions allowed Jackson to score two late touchdowns). In 1958 we played in two bowl games-beating Lexington 35-0 then losing to Jackson.

Marshall "Moose" Smith was our 245 lb. fullback, but do not let this deceive you. The guy could move. Not only was he quick but could "chug" it down the field once in the clear. He led the team in scoring our senior year with about 140 points. When we needed 5 yards for sure, Moose got the ball. He bowled defensive players over. On the other side of the ball, he played middle guard and at times tackle depending on the defensive call. He was almost as good as Blankenship at making tackles all over the field. Coach Ward took Moose and me rabbit hunting one cold Nov. morning after a basketball game (we both played BB also). Both Coach and Moose had killed about two rabbits a piece and were chiding me for missing several shots. We walked a bit further and I sat down on a hollow log and darned if a rabbit didn't run out of the end of that log. I fired from the hip with the blast from the 16 gauge knocking me off the log. The two of them got down on the ground laughing but I had the last laugh when Coach Ward's faithful dog brought the rabbit up (Little Paul I remembered that dog's name for years). Coach Ward was the person who helped Moose and me get our scholarships to UT.

Wallace "Wade" Pinkley was our tailback those two years-all 145 lbs. Wade was slow as molasses (I could beat him 10 yds in the 100) but he never took a direct hit. If he had had the speed to match his quickness and ability to fake (give you a hip then take it away), he would have been everybody's All-American. But his ability to run the ball was not even his strong point. He was the best field general (calling plays in the huddle) I ever saw. He had an uncanny nack for calling the right play (right 48 sweep then come back with a fake sweep and pull up and throw a bullet down field). If things were not going well, then he made up plays in the huddle that actually worked. In the Jackson bowl game he moved Climan Smith from fullback (Moose had been hurt) to quarterback and me to fullback for a screen pass that worked for a TD. Wallace went on to the University of the South where he was a very successful tailback-starting all four years at that position. In his very first game as a freshman Sewanee was behind Rhodes College (Memphis) and Coach Shirley Majors inserted Wade in the second half and he pulled the game out with his running and passing. Coach Ward was instrumental in getting Wallace to Sewanee where he not only excelled in football but played baseball and was a gownsman (honor society).

Anyone with a good story about Coach, a fellow player, or a specific team lets hear it. Benny Roberts (1975, #58) emailed me and said that these blogs were better than any Rx he ever got from a doctor. Those of you who have not read Ned Priest's blog on Johnny Compton (Comptonian Physics) let me know. You have got to read it.

Scott Portis (1955-1958)

1964 Lexington Game

From: Joe Fortner

To:

Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 12:21 PM

Subject: Re: Coach Ward

I have enjoyed all of the stories below. This Paul Ward story was during the fall of 1964 season. We were 7-0 and going to play Lexington which was also 7-0. Everyone in town and the coaches had the whole team scarred that we would lose the game. the Jackson Sun picked Lexington to beat us, so much for their predictions. Danny Woodard our quarterback called the play 42 belly, a handoff to Jerry Robinson who ran the football in for a 50 plus yards touchdown. We kicked off to Lexington and they ran 3 plays and punted. First play from scrimmage Woodard called 42 belly again. Robinson ran the football again over 50 plus yards for a touchdown, We kicked off to Lexington they ran 3 plays and punted. Again Woodard called 42 belly and Robinson ran the football in for a touchdown of over 40 plus yards. We kicked off to Lexington they ran 3 plays and punted. Woodard called 42 belly again Robinson ran the football down the field for about 20 yards and fell down before scoring because he was so tired. Paul Ward was on the sideline laughing. I believe we won the game like 42-0.

Thanks

Joe Fortner

"Smelling Sauce"

From: tom portis
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 12:30 AM
To:
Subject: FW: Coach Ward

There have been some great stories of Coach Ward that I have truly enjoyed reading. The ones from some of the older guys about his early coaching days are notable because there were things that I had not known about him. It brings back memories of a great time growing up in Huntingdon and the lessons learned living in a small town and playing football for Paul Ward.

Someone mentioned that he and Johnny Compton are together again probably reminiscing about those days, when I am sure, Coach Ward was challenged having to deal with Johnny.

Ned Priest and others remind me of two stories relating to Compton and the influence on his life by Coach Ward. If you will indulge my limited writing skills……………

For those of you who did not know him or play with him, Johnny Compton was a rough around the edges kind of guy, a tough, mean football player and sometimes just a callous and unkind person. I had not seen Johnny Compton probably since high school but learned that he was living in Southaven, MS just across the Mississippi line from Memphis and was going to church with a UT alumni I worked with at the Bank. I also learned Johnny had changed his life and had become a Christian. This was wonderful to hear and I had to remind myself that yes, God does move in mysterious ways. And yes it was true.

Tim Priest had just been selected to be the color analyst for the Vol Football network and was going to be in Memphis to speak to the Shelby County Big Orange Club. The guy I worked with and I had plans to attend the meeting and he asked if I cared if Johnny Compton joined us. Johnny wanted to see and hear Tim speak since they played together on that great 1966 Mustang team. I was delighted and yet apprehensive at the same time remembering Johnny’s past.

The day arrived and we all met at the Bank to ride over to the Big Orange Club meeting. Johnny Compton was truly a changed man. He was humble, polite and almost apologetic for his past. He expressed to me what an influence Coach Ward was on his life and the lessons in discipline he learned from football and Paul Ward. I thought that was a real tribute not only to Compton’s changed life but to Coach Ward as well. It was somewhat the same way Charles Rhodes related how Coach had influenced Ray Chandler’s life. I think he taught a lot of life lessons to us. Probably more than we really knew at the time.

A funny side to this story was when we arrived at the restaurant where the meeting was being held, I spotted Tim’s Mom who lived in Memphis at the time and went over to speak with her. As I finished, Johnny Compton stepped in front of Mrs. Priest and said, “Mrs. Priest, you probably don’t remember me but I am Johnny Compton”. The expression on Mrs. Priest’s face, as they say, was priceless. Probably not having seen Johnny since he and Tim graduated, she looked up at Compton almost in a state of disbelief and slowly extended her hand to shake his and I heard her utter these words, “My God, JOHNNY COMPTON? How could I ever forget you?”

One day in practice running the scout team offense, which I got to do a lot playing behind Tim, we huddled up and Coach Ward showed us a diagram of the next play we were to run. It was a slant pass to the split end on the right side and as I got under center, I took a look to see where Compton was and who was lined up opposite him - just for kicks I guess hoping someone might actually get a good block on him. I took the snap and dropped back. The next think I remember (or didn’t remember, someone related to me later) was Coach Ward laughing almost uncontrollably and trying to bring me around by putting smelling sauce under my nose after Compton had turned out my lights with a blind side hit. I am sure both Compton and Coach Ward enjoyed it. At least I was informed they did.

In spring practice of 1964 I tore an ACL and had to have surgery a few days later. Coach Ward could not be there the day of the surgery due to school responsibilities and football practice. My parents went home that night after the surgery and I remember waking up the next morning very early to find Coach Ward sitting in my hospital room. He had driven down very early on a Saturday morning just to check on me. We had a conversation which I am sure was limited on my part as I was a sophomore and still in awe of him. I think he cared for and respected his players for their efforts no matter what your job on the team was and he did it in his own quite un-expressive way. He was one of our Senior Class sponsors for the graduating class of 1966. It was an honor to have known him and played for him.

Tom Portis

---------------------

From: Tim Priest

To: 'tom portis'

Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 7:49 AM

Subject: RE: Coach Ward

Tommy:

Thanks for the story. You are so right in describing the influence Coach Ward had on the life of Johnnie Compton and all of us. I certainly remember seeing you Johnnie, Johnny Carter and others the night I spoke in Memphis. We very much missed seeing Johnnie at our 40 year class reunion this summer.

Tim

"The Wind Blows Might Nigh..."

From: Carl R. Holladay

To: 'Scott Portis' ; 'Bobby Ward' ; 'Ward, Paul - 08'

Cc:

Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 7:40 AM

Subject: RE: Coach Ward

Scotty et al.

Thanks for the stories about Coach Ward. I, too, remember him fondly.

I can identify with the Ray Chandler stories. Once, during recess, while we were playing baseball, I made some snide remark about him, not realizing the danger of doing so while he was holding a baseball bat in his hands. A few seconds later I felt it in the pit of my stomach. I thought I’d never breathe again. Needless to say, I watched my words from then on.

One memory from football practice. Coach Ward was working with the linemen over on the far side of Pudor Field. It was one of those drills where the linemen broke up into two groups, one carried the ball, the other tackled, the action taking place between two blocking dummies Coach had placed to create the lane. No sooner had the ball been given to me than I realized that I was facing Warren Blankenship, with nowhere to go but straight ahead. I figured that my young life was over. At Coach’s signal, I forged ahead, but Warren had mercy on me. If you ever need an image to connect to the Scripture, “It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” think of Warren. Needless to say, I was happy to see him graduate that year and move on to higher things.

For some reason, I remember Coach Ward’s clipboard. Never have I seen a clipboard put to so many good uses. Of course, it held his plays and other papers for practice. But I think I recall it being used to hammer lazy players on the helmet or bust them in the seat of the pants, and who knows what else? Others can correct me here if my memory is playing tricks on me.

Others are right in recalling how Coach Ward, Mr. Pudor, and others taught us discipline and teamwork. As for the latter, one lesson I still remember, and have recalled over the years, is how he taught us to kick-off. Walking up and down the field, he told each of us on the kicking team to look to the other end of the field and imagine a lane 5-10 yards wide that we were responsible for. “If everybody protects his lane and lets nothing through, they can’t run a kickoff back,” he’d say, or words to that effect. Over the years, I’ve sometimes reflected on that as a pretty good defensive strategy in other situations.

He was also a superb teacher. I still have vivid memories of how he taught us to block and tackle. He not only taught us, but he also showed us. He’d get down in position, with his calf muscles bulging, show us how to spring off the line, and actually block the other player without holding him. To this day, I still can’t believe they allow NFL linemen such free use of their hands. As for tackling, he insisted on putting your shoulder into the runner’s gut, reaching for his legs, clasping your hands, and putting him on his back. Football for him, at least in my brief experience, was a game of basics, and he taught them well.

Not that I ever mastered either of these, but Ricky Lankford, Buster Barger, and I seemed to have done something right as we held down the left side of the defensive line our senior year. We lost our first game (to Milan, I think). We used a single wing (I was playing right guard). The next week, Coach Ward switched us to a T (or split-T) formation, which we used the rest of the year. I was switched to defensive end, and I think we went undefeated that year. He drilled my assignment into me. I was to cross the line of scrimmage, take down the pulling guards, and turn the play in. If the QB kept the ball and turned in, he was mine (or Ricky’s). If he handed off, Buster as the outside linebacker would take care of the running back. I recall that a good bit of that year I spent lying on my back watching pulling guards and tail backs running over me.

One more story. There was the time, I think it was against Bruceton, but it may have been in practice, when we were lined up for a play, and one of the defensive linemen sounded off about how he was going to pulverize us, and without missing a beat, Guy Fowler was heard to exclaim, “The wind blows might nigh every night!”

I’m sure some of the details are fuzzy and have probably been created out of the fog of memory. Others are welcome to correct me.

Regards,

Carl

Carl R. Holladay

Charles Howard Candler Professsor of New Testament

Candler School of Theology

Emory University

Atlanta, GA 30322

Office: (404) 727-4017

Fax: (404) 727-2494

Mobile: (404) 754-8265

"Hey, Hay Seed!"

From: Scotty Portis
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 4:57 PM
To: Bobby Ward; Ward, Paul - 08
Cc: Tom Portis; Tim Priest; Scott M. Portis; Ronnie&Nancy Rice; Ray Ivey; Paul Allen; Johnny Pitts; John Clement; Joe Smothers; Gloria Fortner; Fred Holladay; Duck Priest; Betty Ann Tanner; Buster Barger; Carl Holladay; Charlie Rhodes; Ned Priest
Subject: Fw: Coach Ward

Winston (Charles), great blog about your colon (glad it was ok). Every body needs a colonoscopy eventually. Also, I would encourage readers of this email to go to Winston's (his ailas) to read his side splitting humor of life at Huntingdon High School. Addresses below.

Great words also for our revered Coach. I knew Ray Chandler very well and was on the receiving end of at least one of his fights. The fight was so intense we rolled in the ditch (water included) down by the little store on Benton Street close to the old high school. I called him "Buffalo" and then preceded to pay the price. We became great friends on the football team during high school. I threw him a very important pass for a touchdown during the Paris game my senior year. The pass was not that good but Ray snaked his way through the entire Paris defense for one of the early TD's (final Mustangs 41-Paris 7). These were during Coach Wards days (years one and two after Larry Stewart) that the Huntingdon faithful thought that a successful season was not only winning every game but not letting the other team even score. Ray was an excellent football player as a blocker and pass catcher.

Coach Ward literally pulled Ray out of the scrap heap and made a solid citizen out of him. Poor Ray met an untimely death from the dreaded cancer (leukemia I think).

Phillip Barnett related a very funny story to me this morning at his gym concerning Johnny Compton. At Coach Ward's funeral someone remarked, "Poor Coach Ward, he will once more have to put up with ole Johnny Compton". I knew Johnny and have long heard of his antics on and off the football field. Tim Priest will enjoy this and probably remember this incident. Seems that the Mustangs had an open date mid season and Coach not wanting his well oiled machine to get rusty filled that date with a team from Nashville. When the team bus pulled up, one of the first players off the bus looked at Johnny and said "Hey, hay seed, we liked to have not found this hole". "We finally had to follow the 'cow shit' just to get here".

After the ensuing kick off Huntingdon had the ball and Compton looked up while still in the huddle to see the same guy who would be playing across from him in the line. Compton preceded to tell Tim that there was going to be a 5 yd. penalty for "off sides" on this first play. Tim said, "Johnny, how do you know"? Comp's reply "Tim, you just call the signals". Well, if the snap count was on 3 at 2 Compton jumped in that guys face and rearranged his nose with a tremendous forearm; I believe it may still be called a "forearm shiver". That set the tone and Huntingdon won the game something like 40 to 0. Tim, feel free to jump in and correct any of this as it is second hand and you were there. I remember Johnny as being a force on both sides of the ball (God rest his soul).

Thanks again to Charles (Wintson) Rhodes for his comments and to all of you who have participated and will continue to participate. These stories have done a lot to help a broken heart (mine) and hopefully for Little Paul (sorry Paul Jr. but that is how I know you), Bobby and Ms. Kay.

God Speed.

Scott Portis (Mustang 1955-1958)

A Helping Hand

From: Charlie Rhodes
Cc: Tim Priest; 'Marshall F. Priest MD, FACC' ; 'john pitts' ; 'Tom Portis' ; 'Scott M. Portis' ; 'Ronnie&Nancy Rice' ; 'Randy Clement' ;'John Clement' ; 'Joe Smothers' ; 'Gloria Fortner' ; 'Betty Ann Tanner' ; 'Fred Holladay' ; 'Gary Hall' ; 'Paul Allen' ; 'Ray Ivey' ; 'Wallace Pinkley'

Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 6:30 AM

Subject: Re: Coach Ward

My apologies for the delay in joining in the discussion here. I have been distracted for a few days with prepping for, having, and then blogging about, my first... and last ... colonoscopy. For the brave, curious, or perverted among you who have a few minutes to burn, you too can experience it at: http://www.nobodyasked.com/2007/12/01/colonoscopy/
For those who do not know, I write under a pseudonym, or chosen name, Winston Rand, in an attempt to retain some decency with the Rhodes family name.

Being a 98 pound weakling with allergies to everything, it was impossible for me to play football. But growing up in Huntingdon, I couldn't help but learn to love the game. That allure continues now, decades later, as an avid Vols and Titans fan. Playing in Mr. Tate's band helped me to grow into a 198 pound weakling who anchors the Lazy-Boy on Saturdays and Sundays, and works out by walking Neyland Stadium steps a few times each fall. While I had no close association with Coach Ward, I developed a deep and abiding respect of him ... at times it took on the trappings of fear ... from some of my closest friends. That group included Bill Rice (R.I.P.), Levoy Brown (anybody know where he is?), Jim Fortner, James David Woodard, Buddy Ezell, and others. So, while I have no real story to tell about Coach Ward, I will relate one strong and meaningful memory of him. Anyone who can fill in or correct the details, please do so.

There was a lad being raised in less than desirable circumstances. Some would call in squalor. In the cities, they would have been called "street people". I never knew what happened to his parents, but he had been taken in by his grandfather, who was known as Buffalo. Having no real family, and missing the building block foundations that the rest of us had as kids in family environments, the young man got into trouble frequently. He had learned to fight and would take on ... and whip ... any kid in town. To his credit, or perhaps by a combination of efforts by his grandfather and teachers, he did come to school most of the time. When he applied himself, he was not a bad student. Recess, whether picking a fight on the playground or sneaking smokes, was his strength. Motivation and discipline were not to be found among his strengths.

Whether in phys ed class, by casual observation on the playground, feedback from other teachers, I never knew. But Coach Ward took an interest in the young man. Coach became a surrogate father in many respects, even to the point of making sure the strapping young man had food and clothes. My memory is fuzzy here, but some of you may recall -- Coach Ward may have taken the young man in to live in his home the last year or so of his HHS career. This kid, who had nothing, was pulled out of a hopeless situation to become Co-Captain of the football Mustangs his Senior year, when he was also Senior class ('60) president. After college (Memphis State, I think) he became a contributing member of society and the community in Dyersburg, where he lived until his untimely early death from cancer at age 45. Without the firm but gentle, caring hand of Coach Ward, that young man would likely have spent his life like his grandfather -- rummaging through trash and doing odd jobs about town, when he was not a resident of City Jail. You might remember him. His close friends called him "Razor", for reasons long forgotten. His name was Ray Chandler.

Many of you have related stories of the stern discipline and hard work you learned from Coach Ward on the gridiron. There is no doubt he was a great teacher and coach who helped many boys develop into men. But when I think of Coach Ward, what stands out first and most is his generosity and caring as demonstrated by his nurturing of Ray Chandler.

Incidentally, Scotty mentioned my blog, and while I would not dare to bore you with it, there are a couple of stories that you might enjoy:

Mr. Tate: http://www.nobodyasked.com/2007/02/09/senior-math-mouth/

Firetower: http://www.nobodyasked.com/2007/01/25/journey-to-fear/

Charlie Rhodes

Fighting in Lexington

From: Marshall F. Priest MD, FACC
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 7:09 PM
To: Scott Portis; john pitts; Charlie Rhodes
Cc: Tom Portis; Scott M. Portis; Ronnie&Nancy Rice; Randy Clement; John Clement; Joe Smothers; Gloria Fortner; Betty Ann Tanner; Fred Holladay; Gary Hall; Paul Allen; Ray Ivey; Tim Priest; Wallace Pinkley
Subject: RE: Coach Ward

Scotty and All

I have enjoyed reading the stories and remembrances of Coach Ward offered by those of us who grew up in Huntingdon. I have always been grateful that I grew up in Huntingdon and as you and I have discussed many times, I have wonderful memories of those years. I think much of the success I and others have been able to achieve in our chosen professions can be directly traced to the values and discipline instilled by many of our teachers and coaches at Huntingdon High School. In that regard I often think of Mr. Pudor, Mr. Tate, Coach Ward and Mr. Guy Robert Kirk. While I never had Mr. Kirk for a teacher and never played football for Coach Ward I had tremendous respect for their ability ( including Mr. Pudor and Mr. Tate ) as role models for all of us who knew them and saw them everyday at school. It took only a few years beyond graduation to realize how fortunate I was to have known these people whose guidance and principles have helped me deal with important issues in my professional life even today.

A couple of stories to relate in that regard. I am certain that each of you remembers Dale Strickland who was a stellar defensive end at Huntingdon in the 1960s and who achieved a PhD in wild life biology at the University of Tennessee before moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he now lives. I was on a plane with Dale a few years ago and he told me that when he reached ninth grade at Huntingdon he signed up for the easiest freshman classes so that he could focus on extracurricular activities which included football. Early in the school year while walking down the hall Mr. Pudor invited Dale into his office where he informed Dale that with Coach Ward's approval, he ( Mr. Pudor ) rearranged Dale's schedule to include Latin, Algebra I, General Science and English. Dale felt that intervention was a sentinel event in his life and provided him with the confidence to pursue even higher and more difficult goals on the football field and in the classroom.

On a lighter note, a story related to me by my brother Tim which I think occurred during his junior year at Huntingdon. Huntingdon was playing Lexington at Lexington in a very close football game. Tim and the late Johnny Compton were thrown out of the game ( I think in the third quarter ) for fighting. Huntingdon was ahead 7 - 0 in the fourth quarter when Lexington began to sustain a drive toward the end zone. Coach Ward walked back to the bench where Tim and Johnny were seated and uttered something like " You boys better say your prayers that Lexington doesn't score ! " Fortunately for Tim and Johnny, Lexington did not score and Huntingdon won the game. Tim, please correct me if I have erred in recounting that game with Lexington.

Several classes from Huntingdon ( including mine ) will be getting together in the early fall of 2008 and I am eagerly anticipating visiting with old friends and embellishing many of the events that occurred while we were growing up and attending school in Huntingdon, a place and time that will remain very special in my thoughts.

Duck

Duck:

You relate the Lexington game story correctly. Compton and I had gotten into a fight and were ejected. We were much more scared of Coach Ward’s wrath in the event we lost than we were of the Lexington Tigers. Some years later Coach Ward and I laughed about this incident, but I have no doubt that he was deadly serious when he spoke with Johnnie and me on the bench.

Tim Priest